Barbecue cooking apparatus with ventilation system

ABSTRACT

A barbecue apparatus is provided, the apparatus comprises: a firebowl having an open topside and a bottomside, the bottomside comprising at least one aperture; a column has a top and a bottom, the top of the column is attached to the bottomside of the firebowl, the column comprises an internal cavity, the aperture of the bottomside of the firebowl leads to the internal cavity of the column, the column has at least one opening for ventilation; a base connected to the bottom of the column; a lid situated atop the open topside of the firebowl, the lid has at least one opening for ventilation, the lid further comprises a device for opening and closing the opening; and at least one ash scraper assembly, the assembly comprises at least one scraper and at least one scraper handle, the scraper comprises an axle rod and at least one arm extending from the axle rod, the scraper handle designed to be connected to the scraper to thereby rotate the arm to allow the arm to cover and uncover the aperture for venting purposes.

RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No.11/978,003, entitled “Barbecue Cooking Apparatus with Ash ScraperAssembly” which was filed on Oct. 29, 2007.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a cooking apparatus with a ventilationdevice and more specifically, a martini-shaped barbecue comprising agenerally funnel shaped firebowl having an open topside and abottomside, the bottomside comprising at least one aperture; a columnhas a top and a bottom, the top of the column is attached to thebottomside of the firebowl, the column comprises an internal cavity, theaperture of the bottomside of the firebowl leads to the internal cavityof the column, the column has at least one opening for ventilation; abase connected to the bottom of the column; a lid situated atop the opentopside of the firebowl, the lid has at least one opening forventilation, the lid further comprises a device for opening and closingthe opening; and at least one ash scraper assembly, the assemblycomprises at least one scraper and at least one scraper handle, thescraper comprises an axle rod and at least one arm extending from theaxle rod, the scraper handle designed to be connected to the scraper tothereby rotate the arm to allow the arm to cover and uncover theaperture for venting purposes.

2. Description of the Related Art

It is known in the art to provide cooking appliances and barbecues thathave vent systems and have various ways of cleaning ashes from thebottom of the firebowl. Traditional barbecue grills have been designedfor burning charcoal as a heat source and have a place for supportingthe charcoal below the cooking surface. Both the bowl and the cover havevent openings to provide necessary oxygen for combustion of charcoalwhile the cover is closed. The vent openings on the bowl havetraditionally been used for disposing of ashes that accumulates at thebottom of the chamber. There are numerous ash catcher assemblies andpans used on portable barbecues to clean and remove ashes from thefirebowl and collect the ashes in a bin.

The present invention for an ash scraping and collection system whichovercomes and addresses the problems of the prior art and also providefor a unique ventilation system. The martini shape of the presentinvention provides for functionality and esthetics and tremendousinnovations in design features. The present invention also provides fora device that dually functions as ash scraper and a vent cover.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one embodiment, the present invention provides for a barbecue cookingapparatus which comprises: a martini-shaped barbecue comprising agenerally funnel shaped firebowl having an open topside and one centralaperture situated adjacent to at least one peripheral aperture at itsbottomside; a column comprising a top end, a bottom end, a centralcavity and an ash bin, and the peripheral aperture of the firebowl leadsto the central cavity of the column, the top end of the column isconnected to the bottomside of the firebowl; and an ash scraper assemblycomprising a scraper having at least one arm designed to cover anduncover the peripheral aperture and a scraper handle pivotally attachedto the scraper and designed to rotate the arms to cover and uncover theperipheral apertures and scrape the bottomside of the firebowl.

In another embodiment, the scraper comprises an axle rod designed to fitwithin the central aperture. In yet another embodiment, the axle rod hasa bottom end, and the scraper further comprises at least one torque ear,and the torque ear comprises at least one pivot hole and at least oneslot.

In still another embodiment, the assembly comprises at least one scraperhandle and at least one clip mounted slidably on the scraper handle. Instill yet another embodiment, the scraper handle comprises a knob and ashaft on opposing ends of the scraper handle, and the shaft has at leastone pivot pin designed to be aligned with the pivot hole of the torqueear and allows the scraper handle to be pivotally connected to thescraper. In a further embodiment, the shaft of the scraper handle isdesigned to fit the slot of the torque ear and the knob leads to a stop.The stop is used to limit the movement of the clip. In still a furtherembodiment, the clip comprising at least one wedge attached to at leastone spring arm, and the spring arm leading to a protrusion which aids inmanual movement and has a detent that keeps the clip stationary. In yeta further embodiment, the shaft of the scraper handle is designed to fitand work with the clip, and the clip is designed to lock the ash scraperonto the firebowl and allow the scraper handle to be locked in agenerally horizontal position.

In still yet a further embodiment, the bottomside of the firebowl has alip situated on the periphery of the central aperture, and the wedge ofthe clip is designed to contact the lip of the central aperture tosecure the ash scraper in a latched position. In another furtherembodiment, the clip is moved downwardly to disengage the ash scraperduring the unlatched position. In a further embodiment, the clip can bemoved toward the knob end of the handle so that the ash scraper may bedisengaged from the bowl.

In another embodiment, the column further comprises a door for access tothe central cavity and the removable ash bin of the column. In stillanother embodiment, the column further comprises a handle, and thehandle is connected to the actuator of the ash scraper, and the handleis moveable on a horizontal plane to thereby allow for the opening andclosing of the peripheral apertures. In a further embodiment, the columncomprises a horizontal opening adjacent to the handle and the scraperhandle fits within the opening with the knob of the scraper handleprotruding from the opening and allowing the user access to the scraperhandle. In another embodiment, the column has a cavity and the removableash bin fits within the cavity.

In yet another embodiment, the apparatus further comprises a removablelid designed to cover the open topside of the firebowl, and the lidcomprises at least one aperture and a pivotally attached rotatinghandle, and the handle is designed to open and close the aperture forventing purposes.

In still yet another embodiment, the apparatus further comprises a baseconnected to the bottom end of the column and at least one grillsituated within the firebowl.

In another further embodiment, the present invention provides for abarbecue cooking apparatus comprising: a firebowl having an open topsideand a bottomside which has a circumference smaller than a circumferenceof the topside of the firebowl, and the bottomside of the firebowlcomprising at least one central aperture situated adjacent at least oneperipheral aperture; a base frame comprising a top end, a bottom end,and a central cavity, and the peripheral aperture of the firebowl leadsto the central cavity of the column, and the top end of the column isconnected to the bottomside of the firebowl; and an ash scraper assemblycomprising an ash scraper having at least one arm designed to cover anduncover the peripheral aperture and a scraper handle pivotally attachedto the ash scraper and designed to rotate the arm to cover and uncoverthe peripheral apertures and scrape the bottomside of the firebowl.

In a further embodiment, the ash scraper comprises an axle rod designedto fit within the central aperture, and the axle rod has a bottom end,and the ash scraper further comprises at least one torque ear, and thetorque ear comprises at least one pivot hole and at least one slot.

In another embodiment, the assembly comprises at least one scraperhandle and at least one clip, and the scraper handle comprises a knoband a shaft on opposing ends of the scraper handle, and the shaft has atleast one pivot pin designed to be aligned with the pivot hole of thetorque ear and allows the scraper handle to be pivotally connected tothe ash scraper, and the shaft of the scraper handle is designed to fitthe slot of the torque ear and the knob leads to a stop.

In still another embodiment, the clip comprising at least one wedgeattached to at least one spring arm, and the spring arm leading to aprotrusion and having a detent, and the shaft of the scraper handle isdesigned to fit and work with the clip, and the clip is designed to lockand unlock movement of the ash scraper, and the bottomside of thefirebowl has a lip situated on the periphery of the central aperture,and the wedge of the clip is designed to contact the lip of the centralaperture to secure the ash scraper in a latched position.

In yet another embodiment, the apparatus further comprises at least onegrill situated within the firebowl; an ash bin situated on the bottomend of the base frame; and a handle situated on an external surface ofthe base frame, and the handle is connected to the scraper handle of theash scraper, and the handle is moveable on a horizontal plane to therebyallow for the opening and closing of the peripheral apertures andscraping of the ashes.

In yet another further embodiment, the present invention provides for abarbecue cooking apparatus comprising: a firebowl having an open topsideand a bottomside which has a circumference smaller than a circumferenceof the topside, and the bottomside of the firebowl comprises at leastone central aperture situated adjacent a plurality of peripheralapertures; a base frame comprising a top end, a bottom end, an externalsurface, an ash collection area and a central cavity, and the peripheralapertures of the firebowl leads to the central cavity of the column, andthe top end of the column is connected to the bottomside of thefirebowl; an ash scraper assembly comprising an ash scraper having aplurality of arms designed to cover and uncover the peripheral aperturesand a scraper handle pivotally attached to the scraper and designed torotate the arms to cover and uncover the peripheral apertures and scrapethe bottomside of the firebowl; and a handle situated on an externalsurface of the base frame, and a horizontal opening situated adjacent tothe handle and the scraper handle protruding from the horizontal openingto allow user access to the ash scraper assembly to thereby allow forthe cleaning of the firebowl and the opening and closing of theperipheral apertures for venting purposes.

In a further embodiment, the present invention provides for a barbecuecooking apparatus with ash scraper assembly, the apparatus and assemblycomprises: a firebowl having an open topside and a bottomside, thebottomside of the firebowl comprises at least one central aperturesituated adjacent at least one peripheral aperture; and an ash scraperassembly comprising at least one scraper and at least one scraperhandle, the scraper comprises an axle rod and at least one arm extendingfrom the axle rod, the axle rod designed to fit within the centralaperture of the firebowl, and the scraper handle designed to beconnected to the scraper to thereby rotate the arm to scrape thebottomside of the firebowl and allow ashes to fall through theperipheral aperture, and to allow the arm to cover and uncover theperipheral aperture for venting purposes.

In still a further embodiment, the axle rod comprises a bottomside andtorque ears extending from the bottomside of the axle rod, the torqueears comprise at least one pivot hole and at least one slot.

In yet a further embodiment, the scraper handle comprises at least oneshaft with opposing ends, the shaft comprises a knob on one end and apivot pin on the opposing end, the pivot pin designed to fit within thepivot hole of the torque ears of the axle rod.

In still yet a further embodiment, the ash scraper assembly furthercomprises at least one clip, and the clip is slidably moveable on thescraper handle and the clip is designed to lock the ash scraper assemblyto the firebowl during a latched position.

In another further embodiment, the clip comprises a wedge connected toat least one spring arm, the spring arm of the clip leads to aprotrusion and has at least one detent, the clip being slideablymoveable on the shaft of the scraper handle.

In another embodiment, the lid comprises a lid handle. In a furtherembodiment, the base comprises a base handle.

In still another embodiment, one end of the shaft of the scraper handleadjacent to the pivot pin is designed to fit the slot of the torque earand the knob leads to a stop, and the stop is connected to opposing endof the shaft.

In yet another embodiment, the scraper handle and the axle rod aredesigned to fit through the central aperture of the bottomside of thefirebowl, and the clip locks the scraper assembly to the centralaperture of the firebowl and locks the scraper handle into a generallyhorizontal position in the latched position.

In still another embodiment, the wedge of the clip, in the latchedposition, is in close proximity to the central aperture and preventsmovement of the scraper assembly except a rotary movement about avertical axis about the central aperture and the wedge constrains themovement of the scraper handle in a generally horizontal plane, and thedetent of the spring arm holds the clip in its latched position, and theprotrusion of the spring arm aids manual movement by a user of the clipbetween the latched position and an unlatched position.

In still yet another embodiment, the bottomside of the firebowl has alip situated on the periphery of the central aperture, and the wedge ofthe clip designed to contact the lip of the central aperture to securethe ash scraper in the latched position. In a further embodiment, thescraper handle is moved downwardly to disengage the clip during theunlatched position.

In still a further embodiment, the apparatus further comprises a baseframe comprising a top end, a bottom end, and a central cavity, and thetop end of the base frame is connected to the firebowl, and the centralaperture and peripheral aperture of the firebowl leads to the centralcavity of the base frame.

In yet a further embodiment, the base frame further comprises an ash binfor collecting ashes scraped by the ash scraper assembly. In still yet afurther embodiment, the base frame further comprises an elongatedcolumn, the column further comprises a door for accessing the centralcavity and a handle for opening the door.

In another further embodiment, the apparatus further comprising at leastone grill situated within the firebowl and a removable lid designed tocover the open topside of the firebowl, and the lid comprises at leastone aperture and a pivotally attached rotating handle, the handledesigned to open and close the aperture of the lid for venting purposes.

In still another further embodiment, the base frame comprises ahorizontal opening, and the scraper handle protrudes from the openingand allows the user access to the ash scraper assembly and during ascraping stage, the user guides the scraper handle along the horizontalopening using a horizontal movement.

In yet another further embodiment, the present invention provides for aash scraper assembly for use with barbecue cooking devices, and theassembly comprises: at least one scraper comprising an axle rod and atleast one arm extending from the axle rod, the axle rod designed to workwith a barbecue cooking device having a firebowl with a central apertureand at least one peripheral aperture on its bottomside, the axle roddesigned to fit within the central aperture of the firebowl of thecooking device, at least one scraper handle designed to be connected tothe scraper to thereby rotate the arm to scrape the bottomside of thefirebowl of the cooking device and allow ashes to fall through theperipheral aperture of the firebowl, and to allow the arm to cover anduncover the peripheral aperture of the firebowl for venting purposes;and at least one clip, the clip is slidably moveable on the scraperhandle and the clip is designed to lock the ash scraper assembly to thefirebowl during a latched position.

In still yet another further embodiment, the present invention relatesto a barbecue cooking apparatus comprises: a firebowl having an opentopside and a bottomside which has a circumference smaller than acircumference of the topside of the firebowl, the bottomside of thefirebowl comprising at least one central aperture situated adjacent atleast one peripheral aperture; a base frame comprising a top end, abottom end, and a central cavity, the peripheral aperture of thefirebowl leading to the central cavity of the column, the top end of thecolumn being connected to the bottomside of the firebowl; and an ashscraper assembly comprising at least one scraper and at least onescraper handle, the scraper comprises an axle rod and at least one armextending from the axle rod, the axle rod designed to fit within thecentral aperture of the firebowl, the scraper handle designed to beconnected to the scraper to thereby rotate the arm to scrape thebottomside of the firebowl and allow ashes to fall through theperipheral aperture, and to allow the arm to cover and uncover theperipheral aperture for venting purposes.

In a further embodiment, the present invention provides for a barbecuecooking apparatus with ventilation device, the apparatus and devicecomprising: a firebowl having an open topside and a bottomside, thebottomside comprising at least one aperture; a base attached to thebottomside of the firebowl, the base comprises an internal cavity, theaperture of the bottomside of the firebowl leading to the internalcavity of the base, the base having at least one opening forventilation; and a lid situated atop the open topside of the firebowl,the lid has at least one opening for ventilation, and the lid furthercomprising a device for opening and closing the opening.

In yet another embodiment, the present invention relates to a barbecuecooking apparatus with ventilation device, the apparatus and devicecomprising: a firebowl having an open topside and a bottomside, thebottomside comprising at least one aperture; a column having top andbottom portions, the top portion of the column is attached to thebottomside of the firebowl, the column comprises an internal cavity, theaperture of the bottomside of the firebowl leading to the internalcavity of the column, the column has at least one opening forventilation; a base connected to the bottom of the column; and a lidsituated atop the open topside of the firebowl, the lid has at least oneopening for ventilation, the lid further comprising a device for openingand closing the opening.

In still another further embodiment, the present invention relates to abarbecue cooking apparatus with ventilation device, the apparatus anddevice comprising: a firebowl having an open topside and a bottomside,the bottomside comprising at least one aperture; a column having a topand a bottom, the top of the column is attached to the bottomside of thefirebowl, the column comprises an internal cavity, the aperture of thebottomside of the firebowl leading to the internal cavity of the column,the column having at least one opening for ventilation; a base connectedto the bottom of the column; a lid situated atop the open topside of thefirebowl, the lid has at least one opening for ventilation, the lidfurther comprising a device for opening and closing the opening; and atleast one ash scraper assembly, the assembly comprising at least onescraper and at least one scraper handle, the scraper comprises an axlerod and at least one arm extending from the axle rod, the scraper handledesigned to be connected to the scraper to thereby rotate the arm toallow the arm to cover and uncover the aperture for venting purposes.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings are included to provide a furtherunderstanding of the present invention. These drawings are incorporatedin and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate one or moreembodiments of the present invention, and together with the description,serve to explain the principles of the present invention.

FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of the martini-shaped barbecue inaccordance with the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a front side view of the barbecue of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the vent cover/ash scraper of thepresent invention;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the scraper handle of the ash scraper ofthe present invention;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the clip of the ash scraper of thepresent invention;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the ash scraper in an assembled form andhow it relates with the bottomside of the firebowl of the presentinvention;

FIG. 7 is a perspective side view of the ash scraper in an unlatchedposition;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of FIG. 7 in a latched position;

FIG. 9 is a cutaway perspective view of the ventilation system of one ofthe embodiments of the present invention;

FIG. 10 is an exploded view of the components of the barbecue of thepresent invention and showing how the components are disassembled andassembled for packaging and shipment;

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of another embodiment of the presentinvention showing the smaller version of the martini-shaped grill;

FIG. 12 is a cutaway perspective view of ventilation system of FIG. 11;

FIGS. 13 a-b are perspective views of the hidden wheel system of thepresent invention; and

FIGS. 14 a-c are perspective views of one of the embodiments of the ashbin of the present invention including see-thru views of the internalsof the ash bin.

Among those benefits and improvements that have been disclosed, otherobjects and advantages of this invention will become apparent from thefollowing description taken in conjunction with the accompanyingdrawings. The drawings constitute a part of this specification andinclude exemplary embodiments of the present invention and illustratevarious objects and features thereof.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

As required, detailed embodiments of the present invention are disclosedherein; however, it is to be understood that the disclosed embodimentsare merely exemplary of the invention that may be embodied in variousforms. The figures are not necessarily to scale, some features may beexaggerated to show details of particular components. Therefore,specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are not tobe interpreted as limiting, but merely as a basis for the claims and asa representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to variouslyemploy the present invention.

Referring now to FIGS. 1-2, the martini shaped barbecue cookingapparatus 1 of the present invention comprises a funnel shaped firebowl2 with a base frame 3 and a lid 4. The base frame 3 comprises anelongated column 3 a and a base 3 b. The column 3 a houses a removableash bin 8.

FIGS. 3-8 depict the ash scraper/vent cover assembly 10 of the presentinvention. The assembly 10 comprises: at least one scraper 30 comprisingan axle rod 31 and at least one arm or blade 32 extending from the axlerod 31. The axle rod or bearing surface 31 is designed to work with abarbecue cooking apparatus 1 having a firebowl 2 with a central aperture11 and at least one peripheral aperture 12 on its bottomside 2 b. Theaxle rod 31 designed to fit within the central aperture 11 of thefirebowl 2 of the cooking device 1. The assembly 10 further comprises atleast one scraper handle or lever 20 designed to be connected to thescraper 30 to thereby rotate the arm 32 to scrape the bottomside 2 b ofthe firebowl 2 of the cooking device 1 and allow ashes to fall throughthe peripheral aperture 12 of the firebowl 2, and to allow the arm 32 tocover and uncover the peripheral aperture 12 of the firebowl 2 forventing purposes. The assembly 10 further comprises at least one clip orlatch 40, and the clip 40 is slidably moveable on the scraper handle 20and the clip 40 is designed to lock the ash scraper assembly 10 to thefirebowl 2 during a latched position.

The axle rod 31 comprises a bottomside and torque ears 33 extending fromthe bottomside of the axle rod 31, and the torque ears 33 comprises atleast one pivot hole 35 and at least one slot 34.

The scraper handle 20 comprises at least one shaft 21 with opposingends, and the shaft 21 comprises a knob 22 on one end and a pivot pin 24on the opposing end. The pivot pin 24 designed to fit within the pivothole 35 of the torque ears 33 of the axle rod 31.

The ash scraper assembly 10 further comprises at least one clip 40, andthe clip 40 is slidably moveable on the scraper handle 20 and the clip40 is designed to lock the ash scraper assembly 10 to the firebowl 2during a latched position. The clip 40 comprises a wedge 42 connected toat least one spring arm 41, and the spring arm 41 of the clip 40 leadsto a protrusion or thumb grip 44 and has at least one detent 43, and theclip is slideably moveable on the shaft 21 of the scraper handle 20. Thedetent 43 engages with the end of shaft 21 to keep the clip 40 in itslatched position. One end of the shaft 21 of the scraper handle 20adjacent to the pivot pin 24 is designed to fit the slot 34 of thetorque ear 33. The free end of the wedge 42 is designed to fit into slot34, constrained by the torgue ear 33 and the shaft 21. The Stop 23prevents the clip 40 from moving to the point where the wedge 42 canbecome disengaged from the slot 34. This maintains the clip's 40orientation.

FIGS. 6-8 show how the scraper handle 20 and the axle rod 31 aredesigned to fit through the central aperture 11 of the bottomside 2 b ofthe firebowl 2, and the clip 40 locks the scraper assembly 10 to thecentral aperture 11 of the firebowl 2 and locks the scraper handle 20into a generally horizontal position in the latched position. The wedge42 of the clip 40, in the latched position, is in close proximity to thecentral aperture 11 and prevents movement of the scraper assembly 10except a rotary movement about a vertical axis about the centralaperture 11. The wedge 42 constrains the movement of the scraper handle20 in a generally horizontal plane, and the detent 43 of the spring arm41 holds the clip 40 in its latched position. The protrusion 44 of saidspring arm 41 aids manual movement by a user of the clip 40 between thelatched position and an unlatched position.

The bottomside 2 b of the firebowl 2 has a lip situated on the peripheryof the central aperture 11, and the wedge 42 of the clip 40 is designedto contact the lip of the central aperture 11 to secure the ash scraperassembly 10 in the latched position. FIG. 7 shows the ash scraperassembly 10 in its unlatched position. The clip 40 is positioned againstthe stop 23 and the wedge 42 is disengaged from the central aperture 11allowing the scraper handle 20 to pivot about the pivot pin 24.

FIG. 9 shows one of the embodiments of the ventilation system of thepresent invention. The barbecue cooking apparatus 1 comprises thefunnel-shaped firebowl 2, the elongated cylindrical column 3 a and thelid 4. The firebowl 2 has an open topside 2 a, a bottomside 2 b, handles7 on its external surface and grills 9 situated within internal cavityof the firebowl 2. The peripheral apertures 12 are situated on thebottomside 2 b of the firebowl 2. The arms 32 of the ash scraper 30 ofthe ash scraper assembly 10 are situated above the bottomside 2 b of thefirebowl 2 and are positioned not to cover the peripheral apertures 12during a ventilation stage. The lid 4 has a handle 5 which is movable(usually twisted) to open the lid vent 51 during the ventilation stage.The column 3 a has a removable ash bin 8 and a handle 6. There is anopening above the handle 6 where the scraper handle 20 protrudes fromthe opening and allowing user access to the ash scraper assembly 10.During a scraping and/or ventilation stage, the user guides the scraperhandle 20 along the horizontal opening using a horizontal movement toallow the arms 32 to uncover the peripheral apertures 12 during theventilation stage and to scrape the bottom surface of the bottomside 2 bof the firebowl 2 during the scraping or cleaning stage.

FIG. 10 relates to how the barbecue of the present invention isdisassembled and packaged for shipment. The grills 9 are situated on thebottomside of the lid 4 which sits atop the underside of the base 3 band the base 3 b sits within the firebowl 2.

FIGS. 11-12 relate to another embodiment of the present invention,specifically, the smaller version of the Martini Grill™. The barbecueapparatus 1 comprises a base frame 3, a firebowl 2 and a lid 4. The lidcomprises a movable handle 5 which by a twisting motion opens and closesthe lid vent 51. The firebowl 2 comprises two opposing handles 7 and avent 50. During use, the firebowl 2 sits atop the base frame 3 and thelid 4 rests upon the open topside of the firebowl 2. Grills 9 aresituated within the firebowl 2. During a ventilation stage, the lid vent51 and vent 50 are in an open position to allow the air to enter thevent 5 and exit from the lid vent 51. The vent 50 on the firebowl hasvent apertures 52 and a device 53 for opening and closing the ventapertures 52.

FIGS. 13 a-13 b relates to another embodiment of the present invention,in particular, the portability feature of the barbecue 1. The barbecue 1comprises a base frame 3 having a base 3 b and a cylindrical column 3 a.The column is connected to the firebowl 2 and a lid 4 is situated atopthe firebowl 2. The base 3 b comprises a foldable wheel 60 and a lockingmechanism 62. During a stationary use position, the foldable wheel 60 issituated atop the surface of the base 3 b. During a moving position, thefoldable wheel 60 is extended and makes contact with the ground and thelocking device 62 is extended to secure the position of the foldablewheel 60. The user may then move the barbecue 1 by pulling or pushingthe handle 7 on the firebowl 2.

FIGS. 14 a, 14 b and 14 c illustrate another feature of the presentinvention, specifically the dual function of the ash bin 8 as both anash catcher and charcoal starter chimney device. The ash bin 8 issituated within the cylindrical column 3 a of the barbecue 1. The ashbin 8 comprises at least four walls and an open topside creating aninternal cavity. The fourth wall is an exterior surface of the ash bin 8and the column 3 a when the ash bin is inserted into the column 3 a. Theash bin has a first stationary handle 6 and a second removable handle 81which is connected to two connectors 80. The bin 8 has an aperture 85leading to an internal cavity of the ash bin/chimney 8.

FIGS. 14 b-14 c show a transparent view of the internals of the ash bin8. There is a screen 84 for holding charcoal situated within theinternal cavity of the ash bin 8. In another embodiment, the tube-shapedash bin 8 has a moveable flap 83 at or near the bottom of the ash bin 8which when in the closed position seals the bottom and when in the openposition allows air to flow through the bottom. The flap 83 is actuatedby the movable handle 81. The handle 81 is oriented parallel to the flap83 so it visually gives an indication as to whether the flap is open orclosed. The fixed screen 84 is situated just above the flap 83 in itsclosed position. The screen 84 separates the interior of the tube intotwo chambers: the above chamber for charcoal and the below chamber forcombustible starting material (newspaper). At the bottom of the bin 8,there is at least one opening 85 in one of the side walls leading intothe newspaper chamber; the aperture or opening 85 is used to allow thenewspaper to be lit easily and to encourage air flow.

The fixed handle 6 is situated above the movable handle 81 and isdesigned to aid in handling the ash bin/chimney 8. In particular, whenthe charcoal is hot, both handles should be used. The movable handle 81has a stop to prevent its movement past the horizontal orientation. Toprevent inadvertent opening of the flap 83, the rod 86 on which the flap83 pivots extends out the back of the bin 8 and is bent to form a leg82. While the flap 83 is in its closed position, the leg 82 of the rod86 is vertical allowing the bin 8 to fit in through the opening in thecolumn 3 a. While the flap 83 is in its open position, the leg 82extends horizontally preventing the bin 8 from being replaced into thecolumn 3 a. Likewise, while the bin 8 is in the column 3 a, the leg 82prevents the handle 81 from moving so that the flap 83 will not open.

In one embodiment, the procedure for starting the charcoal and using thedual functioning ash bin is as follows: 1) the ash bin 8 is removed fromthe column 3 a and if there are any ashes or ash residues, the ash bin 8is emptied out; 2) the handle 81 is rotated down thereby moving the flap83 away from the screen 84 and opening the bottom of the ash bin 8 toform a charcoal starting chimney—the flap 83 is moved downwardly bymoving the handle 81 in a downward motion to a generally parallelposition relative to the ash bin handle 6 and away from one of theconnectors 80; 3) crumpled-up newspapers are placed in the bottom of theash bin/chimney 8 and the bin 8 may be placed on the charcoal grate inthe firebowl 2 or the grill 9; 4) a specified amount of charcoalbriquettes are placed into the open topside of the bin 8 and thecharcoal sits atop the screen 84; 5) the newspaper is lit 9 (accesscoming from aperture 85) and the briquettes are allowed to burn untilthey have some gray ash on them; 7) the lit charcoal is then poured ontothe charcoal grate of the firebowl 2 using the handle 81 and handle 6;8) the flap 83 of the ash bin 8 is then placed in a position adjacent tothe screen 84 and the chimney is thereby closed—the flap 83 is movedupwardly by moving the handle 81 in an upward motion to a generallyperpendicular position relative to the ash bin handle 6 and connected toboth of the connectors 80; and 9) the bin 8 is replaced into the column3 a.

Numerous modifications and variations of the present invention arepossible in light of the above teachings. It is therefore to beunderstood that within the scope of the attendant claims attachedhereto, this invention may be practiced otherwise than as specificallydisclosed herein.

1. A barbecue cooking apparatus with ventilation device, said apparatusand device comprising: a firebowl having an open topside and abottomside, said bottomside comprising at least one aperture; a baseattached to the bottomside of said firebowl, said base comprises aninternal cavity, said aperture of said bottomside of said firebowlleading to said internal cavity of said base, said base having at leastone opening for ventilation; at least one ash scraper assembly, saidassembly comprising at least one scraper and at least one scraperhandle, said scraper comprises an axle rod and a plurality of armsdirectly attached to and extending from said axle rod, said scraperhandle designed to be connected to the scraper to thereby rotate the armto allow said arm to cover and uncover said aperture for ventingpurposes; and a lid situated atop said open topside of said firebowl,said lid having at least one opening for ventilation, said lid furthercomprising a device for opening and closing said opening.
 2. Theapparatus of claim 1 wherein said lid comprises a lid handle, said lidhandle designed to rotate about an axis and open and close said openingon said lid.
 3. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said base comprises abase handle.
 4. The apparatus of claim 3 wherein said base handle isattached to said ash scraper assembly and is designed to open and closesaid aperture in said firebowl.
 5. The apparatus of claim 4 wherein saidbase handle is designed to move in a side to side motion to controlmovement of said ash scraper assembly to hereby open and close saidaperture in said firebowl for ventilation purposes.
 6. The apparatus ofclaim 1 further comprising an elongated column, said column having topand bottom portions and a central cavity, said aperture of said firebowlleads to said central cavity of said column.
 7. The apparatus of claim 6wherein said top portion of said column is attached to said bottomsideof said firebowl and said bottom portion of said column is attached tosaid base.
 8. The apparatus of claim 6 wherein said column furthercomprises a door for accessing said central cavity and a handle foropening said door.
 9. A barbecue cooking apparatus with ventilationdevice, said apparatus and device comprising: a firebowl having an opentopside and a bottomside, said bottomside comprising at least oneaperture; a column having a top and a bottom, said top of said columnbeing attached to the bottomside of said firebowl, said column comprisesan internal cavity, said aperture of said bottomside of said firebowlleading to said internal cavity of said column, said column having atleast one opening for ventilation; a base connected to said bottom ofsaid column; at least one ash scraper assembly, said assembly comprisingat least one scraper and at least one scraper handle, said scrapercomprises an axle rod and a plurality of arms directly attached to andextending from said axle rod, said scraper handle designed to beconnected to the scraper to thereby rotate the arm to allow said arm tocover and uncover said aperture for venting purposes; and a lid situatedatop said open topside of said firebowl, said lid having at least oneopening for ventilation, said lid further comprising a device foropening and closing said opening.
 10. The apparatus of claim 9 whereinsaid lid comprises a lid handle, said lid handle designed to rotateabout an axis and open and close said opening on said lid.
 11. Theapparatus of claim 10 wherein said column comprises a column handle. 12.The apparatus of claim 11 wherein said column handle is attached to saidash scraper assembly and is designed to open and close said aperture insaid firebowl.
 13. The apparatus of claim 12 wherein said column handleis designed to move in a side to side motion to control movement of saidash scraper assembly to hereby open and close said aperture in saidfirebowl for ventilation purposes.
 14. The apparatus of claim 9 whereinsaid firebowl is funnel shaped.
 15. The apparatus of claim 9 whereinsaid firebowl, said column and said base form a martini shaped grill.16. The apparatus of claim 9 wherein said column comprises an openingleading from said central cavity, said column comprising a device foropening and closing said opening on said column.
 17. A barbecue cookingapparatus with ventilation device, said apparatus and device comprising:a firebowl having an open topside and a bottomside, said bottomsidecomprising at least one aperture; a column having a top and a bottom,said top of said column being attached to the bottomside of saidfirebowl, said column comprises an internal cavity, said aperture ofsaid bottomside of said firebowl leading to said internal cavity of saidcolumn, said column having at least one opening for ventilation; a baseconnected to said bottom of said column; a lid situated atop said opentopside of said firebowl, said lid having at least one opening forventilation, said lid further comprising a device for opening andclosing said opening; and at least one ash scraper assembly, saidassembly comprising at least one scraper and at least one scraperhandle, said scraper comprises an axle rod and at least two armsdirectly attached to and extending from said axle rod, said scraperhandle designed to be connected to the scraper to thereby rotate the armto allow said arm to cover and uncover said aperture for ventingpurposes.
 18. The apparatus of claim 17 wherein said wherein said lidcomprises a lid handle, said lid handle designed to rotate about an axisand open and close said opening on said lid, said column comprises ahandle, said lid handle is attached to said ash scraper assembly and isdesigned to open and close said aperture in said firebowl.